TWINS who lived apart for almost 60 years have been reunited - and discovered they once lived on the same street for years.

Norman Vickers and Joan Seaward, 59, were separated soon after birth when their mother, a single woman struggling to cope in post-war Britain, begged a friend to adopt Joan in 1945.

The twins and their families moved away from each other and settled in different areas. Joan did not even know she had a twin until she was 11.

After a 20-year search by Norman, they were reunited in Merseyside.

Painter and decorator Norman even used to buy his lunchtime sandwiches from a cafe where Joan worked in the 1960s.

The father-of-six, who now lives in Formby with wife Teresa, 70, said: "I reckon it's a million-to-one chance. To have the opportunity to get to know each other again after nearly 60 years is brilliant.

"I'd go and buy the sandwiches for the lads from work and she probably served me countless times. We even drank in the same pub."

The coincidences do not end there; Norman and Joan are both darts fans, have been taxi drivers and have the same number of children.

Norman had been trying to trace Joan for the past 20 years. The breakthrough came when a family friend put Norman's details on a website for lost relatives and Joan found them.

Norman added: "I got a call from Joan out of the blue. She is the image of our mum Eleanor, who died eight years ago."

The pair met three days later in Sheffield, where Joan lives.

Joan said: "It's a miracle. I found out about Norman in the 1950s when I needed my birth certificate because my school needed proof of my age. When I looked, I found adoption papers."

Now they are planning to celebrate their 60th birthdays in style together in Southport next month.